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U.S. military judge: ‘Torture’ is not ‘relevant’ in Guantanamo cases

“Five alleged al-Qaeda conspirators accused of aiding the 9/11 hijackers all say they were tortured for years while in CIA custody, but sitting in a military courtroom on Monday, they all heard a judge insist that ‘torture’ is not ‘relevant’ to their cases. Critics of the Bush administration’s torture program have long argued that it could taint prosecutions with evidence obtained under duress, which is exactly what defense attorneys have argued on behalf of defendants Walid bin Attash, Mustafa Ahmad al-Hawsawi, Ramzi Binalshibh, Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali, and alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.” Continue reading →

U.S. ‘influenced British government’s decision to introduce secret courts’

“The government argues that CMPs are needed to prevent courtroom disclosure of sensitive evidence from causing damage to the so-called ‘control principle’ governing intelligence shared between states. Secret evidence, which is already used in terrorism-related immigration tribunals, allows government lawyers to rely on evidence that cannot be seen by victims or claimants, or their lawyers. The evidence can be seen by security-vetted barristers known as special advocates, but they cannot discuss what they have seen. The system is widely regarded as inherently unfair and would inevitably lead to legal challenges.” Continue reading →

$1.3 billion flowing through 2012 presidential race

“Barack Obama may not like asking for money, but the hundreds of people willing to pay upwards of $40,000 a pop to attend star-studded fundraisers in his honor show there are plenty willing to reach deep into their pockets on his behalf. Since May, the president has gone to 69 fundraisers, each with ticket prices topping tens of thousands of dollars. His opponent, Republican Mitt Romney, has held 105 of the donor events, in a frenzied race for money that has already pushed this year’s presidential campaign coffers past $1.3 billion.” Continue reading →

Romney rakes in $170 million for September; Obama $181 million

“Republican Mitt Romney raised more than $170 million in September, aides said Monday — a record for his campaign but shy of President Barack Obama’s $181 million haul for the same period. With the latest fundraising figures, the Romney campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC) plus state party participants now have more than $191 million cash on hand just 22 days before the general election.” Continue reading →

Student protest in Mexico turns violent, 176 arrested

“Mexican students protesting a new curriculum threw homemade explosives, fired rockets and hurled stones at police in a melee that left 176 arrested and 10 police officers injured, officials said. The protesting students are preparing to become teachers in rural areas, and they are angry because the new curriculum includes English and computer science, which they see as low-priority subjects in poor rural areas of Mexico. The students have been holding more than 40 city buses in their possession since October 4, and during Monday’s protest they set fire to 13 of them.” Continue reading →

More Greek firms eye low-tax Switzerland

“The Swiss fiscal policy has infuriated Brussels, as the European Union sees businesses fleeing EU countries to the tax haven of Switzerland. According to Swiss laws, foreign firms which set up in the country pay €51 billions ($66 billion) less in taxes per year than Swiss companies, said a Swiss television report. Setting an ultimatum, Brussels has given Switzerland until December 13th, when a European summit is held, to present a programme aimed at dismantling such privileges which are judged discriminatory and anti-competitive.” Continue reading →

Unemployment Rate Confusion Explained in 2 Minutes

I think about 120 seconds is all it is likely to take to understand what’s going on with the unemployment rate. Let’s say 30 seconds seconds per image and any accompanying text: Let’s start with something that confirms skepticism expressed about the unemployment number reported on October 5, 2012, which was 7.8%, and provides necessary… more

Watch: Helmet cam recording of jump from the edge of space

“Footage broadcast on Austrian television shows the first moments of daredevil Felix Baumgartner’s 128,000-foot descent to Earth. Baumgartner ascended to the dizzying height inside a capsule attached to an ultra-thin 55-story helium balloon. During the first moments of his jump, Baumgartner began to spin out of control due to the thin atmosphere. The space suit he was wearing was equipped with an emergency parachute that would deploy automatically if he experienced excessive G-force. Luckily, Baumgartner was able to regain control before the parachute automatically deployed and became the first man to reach supersonic speed in a free fall.” Continue reading →